DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The famed Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, affectionately known as “La Media Naranja” (The Half Orange) for its distinct roof, is set to end its extensive renovation and reopen on a grand stage: a crucial official qualifier game against the United States for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar, Diario Libre reports.

The Dominican national team will christen the newly remodeled arena on 3 July 2026, in a highly anticipated contest against Team USA, a game which falls within the FIBA window that allows for the inclusion of NBA players. For the occasion, the sports palace will be rechristened Arena Banreservas Virgilio Travieso Soto.

The opening is in time for the use of the installation for the Central American and Caribbean Sports Games to be held mostly in Santo Domingo from 24 July to 8 August 2025.

The announcement was made by Rafael Uribe...